Latest update on living costs in Nanning June 2012

The perennial question of living costs here in Nanning Guangxi China keeps cropping up.Each time I try to answer I find myself either writing an essay or feel the need to ask the questioner, just what 'living' are you expecting to do.So, to put this 'baby' to bed again here is my 'suggested' cost of monthly living costs in Nanning Guangxi China guide based on my own experiences.

Cost approx June 2012

MonthlyRent: Apartment short term rental - Clean One bedroom 55 sq mtr 70/90 RMB per day - Long term 950 RMB per month. Clean Single room 44 sq mtr with bedsit area small kitchen and bathroom 70 RMB per day - Long term 850 RMB per month.Larger 2/3/4 bedroomed apartments of over 120 sq mtrs fitted out to a reasonably high standard, fitted modern kitchen, western toilet etc, anything from 1500 RMB to over 3000 RMB depending on size and location.Tip - Haggle Haggle Haggle.Take your time looking, there are bargains to be had.Long term options normally require at least 6 month minimum. Agents fee's also required.Good Hotel 300 RMB per night (negotiable)

Electric: 150/200 RMB average includes 3 air conditioners, All the usual electrical appliances inc washing machine and oven. Electric water heater supplying Bathroom and Kitchen - 3 people using - This last winter the cost was 500 RMB per month - electric heaters on most days.

Bottled Gas: 40 RMB. Used for cooking only. Bottle costs about 120 RMB a bottle now and lasts us 3 months.

Tap Water: 40 RMB 3 people having at least 2 showers a day each. Not used for drinking. For cold drinking water we use bottled which costs us about 25 RMB per month included in the Food budget.

TV: 30 RMB Cable box but can be less if using a Dish or more depending which channels you want.

Mobile cell phone: 50 RMB - 100 RMB should allow for extensive use.

Apartment Building Service Charge: If you own apartment. This includes everything, rubbish, building cleaning, building lighting etc. 110 RMB.This applies to managed areas, if area not managed then it is free of all charges.

Electric bike parking fee's: About 20 RMB per week for garaging at apartment basement and most areas of the city have parking bays, some free, expect to pay 1RMB per parking session outside.

Public Transport: Buses 1/2 RMB per journey. Bus card I put around 50 RMB per month normally last more than a month. This covers two of us. Taxi start fare 7 RMB average 10 RMB per journey for us and I suppose over the course of a month it cost around 100/150 RMB depending on how lazy we feel.

Clothes: A shirt for 50 RMB or less if you haggle - Trousers for 100 RMB - Fair to good Quality

Visa cost: Around 100 RMB

I must point out that this is a guide only and relates to Nanning, just like anywhere else in the world prices and costs can vary greatly.Here in China, depending in which city you choose to settle in, the same applies.I recently (later part of 2011) enquired about rentals in Hangzhou, I was told at least 3000 RMB per month near the city centre and that was for a 80 sq mt apartment.Apparently most apartments are this size as anything bigger would be too expensive.

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comments:

My name is Joey Garza and I just married a beautiful and good Chinese lady, her name is Fu Ying (I call her Linda). She is from Nanning, China and I love Nanning. The people are friendly and there are so many places to visit. We have a nice 2 bed-room apartment located closed to town. I am an American and would like to know if there are any American like me living in Nanning. Thank you.

Hello!!It's good to read you, and the informations you give about Nanning are so usefull (there is not a lot in the web)! I'm a spanish girl, my name is Ana. I arrive in Nanning 2 weeks ago, I'll study in Guangxi University for nationalities for one year, so I wanted to rent an appartment, a girl that knows a guy helps me but can you give me the name of the agency you try for more results??Thanks a lot,Ana

thanks for your blog - must be the most comprehensive info in english about nanning on the web!

I'm moving to Nanning next spring and really looking forward to it. My company's asked me to start looking into accommodation but I'm not really sure where to start! are there any areas which are particularly good/bad to live in? are ther any serviced apartments, or is it normal to find your own apartment then get an "ayi"?

is there much of an expat scene? Or anything of a music scene? I used to have a jazz band in Hefei, Anhui...

Hi guys, I am Swiss-Brazilian and planning to visit my girlfriend in Nanning. I am planing to stay 2 weeks in a hotel because she can not receive me in her house. Could anybody tell me about prices of the hotel (3 stars can fit) and living cost for tourist. Things like local transportation, lunch at restaurants, some touristic visit, and some going out (bars, cinema, theater, etc). I will be very grateful because it will be my first visit to China. Think about beginning December or maybe new years.

Hotel cost around 300 RMB per night, ignore the star ratings. But for this price it should be clean and comfortable.Your girlfriend can help find you a good one either before you arrive or once you get here. Don't panic there are very many to choose from.

If your happy to eat chinese food then expect 100 RMB for a very good chinese meal for two.OR a bowl of noddles for 4 RMB, they are not as bad as they sound.

Mac'y D's or KFC expect about 20-25 per meal incliding drink.

Chinese Beer less than 5 RMB. Imported, could be as high as 15RMB.Buy from a supermarket, much cheaper.